16 Dec GM Marion Community Impact Grant Fuels LaunchPoint Career Readiness Program in Grant County
Grant County, IN — The Community Foundation of Grant County and Project Leadership announced their selection as recipients of a 2025 General Motors Marion Community Impact Grant. This generous award, made on behalf of GM Corporate Giving, provides critical support for the implementation of LaunchPoint: Career Readiness Program, a five-month experience designed to strengthen soft skills, workplace readiness, and long-term career success for local high school students.
Through this $20,000 investment, General Motors is helping ensure that Grant County’s emerging workforce develops essential skills—communication, teamwork, problem-solving, reliability, and adaptability—that employers across STEAM and manufacturing sectors consistently identify as vital for success.
LaunchPoint is delivered by Project Leadership, a local certified career-coaching organization formally trained and approved by the state to guide students through structured career exploration, skill development, and post–high school planning. Its certified Career Coaches work directly with youth, helping them understand their strengths, explore career pathways, build workforce readiness, and navigate the transition from high school into college, training programs, or employment. Each LaunchPoint cohort consists of approximately 40 juniors and seniors nominated by school staff for their readiness to engage in focused career preparation.
During the five-month program, students participate in sessions that cover:
– Foundations of Personal Identity: Who Am I in the Workplace?
– Communication and Connection: Speaking the Language of Work
– Job Attainment: A Focus on Résumé & Application Skills
– Workplace Readiness: Keeping the Job
– Career Launch and Growth: Building a Future, Not Just a Job
Sessions occur onsite at participating schools—often during lunch periods—to maximize accessibility. Students also interact with local employers, HR professionals, and workforce partners who provide firsthand insight into what it means to be “work-ready” in Grant County.
“We are so grateful for General Motors’ continued investment in strengthening the talent pipeline right here at home,” said Dawn Brown, President/CEO of the Community Foundation of Grant County. “By supporting LaunchPoint, GM is helping local students build the confidence, skills, and professional habits they need to thrive—now and in the future.”
“LaunchPoint removes so much of the uncertainty students feel about becoming career-ready,” said Steve Gibson, Vice President of Programs at Project Leadership. “When young people learn how to communicate, collaborate, and show initiative, they’re better prepared for internships, part-time jobs, apprenticeships, and full-time employment after graduation. GM’s investment demonstrates a clear understanding of just how essential these durable skills are for long-term success.”
The Community Foundation was selected alongside United Way of Grant County and Cardinal Greenways as one of three Marion-area nonprofit partners supported through GM’s 2025 Community Impact Grant cycle. This annual program strengthens nonprofits addressing key community needs where GM employees live and work, with a particular focus on STEAM learning and workforce development.
“General Motors understands that building a thriving community starts with supporting its people,” Brown added. “This grant will make a lasting difference for Grant County’s students and employers alike.”
About Community Foundation of Grant County, Indiana, Inc.
The Community Foundation of Grant County is an advocate for local philanthropy and is dedicated to improving the lives of people in the Grant County area. An effective steward of the community’s charitable resources since 1984, the Foundation partners with donors to establish charitable funds and supports nonprofits through a variety of grantmaking efforts. The Community Foundation connects people, resources, and causes to promote sustainable impact for the betterment of Grant County. Today, the Foundation manages over 400 charitable funds, advancing a broad range of causes that strengthen Grant County. For more information, visit www.GiveToGrant.org.
About Project Leadership
Project Leadership is a certified, state-approved intermediary for career coaching in Indiana, helping first-generation and income-limited students explore education and careers beyond high school. Their team of trained career coaches brings deep expertise in student engagement, workforce preparation, and academic-to-career transition strategies.
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Media Contact:
Shelly Jones
Chief Development Officer
Community Foundation of Grant County
Email: Shelly@GiveToGrant.org
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